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There are three general forms of unbelief.

I. SCEPTICISM.

1. This consists in either doubting or rejecting the truths of religion and morals in general, or the Divine origin and authority of the Bible in particular.

2. This arises from —

(1) Pride of intellect; assuming to know what is beyond our reach and refusing to believe what we cannot understand; setting ourselves up as capable of discerning and proving all truth.

(2) The neglect of our moral nature, and giving ourselves up to the guidance of the speculative reason.

(3) The enmity of the heart to the things of God; or opposition in our tastes, feelings, desires and purposes, to the truths and requirements of religion.

(4) Frivolous vanity, or the desire to be thought independent or upon a par with the infinite.

3. The sinfulness of this form of unbelief is manifest —

(1) As pride. Self-exaltation is sinful and offensive in such a feeble, insignificant creature as man.

(2) As the habitude of the moral nature which makes it possible to believe a lie is the evidence of moral degradation.

(3) As opposition to the truth is opposition to the God of truth. It is alienation from Him, in which all sin consists. Hence unbelief is the generic form of sin. It is the general expression of alienation, the opposition of our nature to His. It is, therefore, the source of all other sins.

II. UNBELIEF, or want of confidence in the doctrines, promises, and providence of God. This may exist even in the hearts of believers. It is a matter of degree.

1. It arises either from —

(1) The entire absence, or low state, of the religious life.

(2) Or the habit of looking at ourselves and on difficulties about us rather than at God.

(3) Or refusing to believe what we do not see. If God does not manifest His care and fulfil His promise, then our faith fails.

2. The sinfulness of this state is apparent, because —

(1) It is the evidence and effect of spiritual weakness and disease.

(2) It dishonours God, refusing to Him the confidence due to an earthly friend and parent; which is a very heinous offence, considering His greatness and goodness, and the evidences He has given of His fidelity and trustworthiness.

(3) It is the manifestation of the same Spirit which dominates in the open infidel.

II. UNBELIEF IN REFERENCE TO CHRIST.

1. This is a refusing to recognize and receive Him as being what He professes to be.

(1) God manifest in the flesh.

(2) The Teacher sent from God.

(3) Our atoning Sacrifice and Priest.

(4) As having rightfully absolute proprietorship in us and authority over us.

2. This is the greatest of sins. It is the condemning sin. Its heinousness consists —

(1) In its opposition to the clearest light. He who cannot see the sun must be stone blind. He who cannot see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ must be blinded by Satan. This blindness is moral, religious, and spiritual deadness.

(2) It is the rejection of the clearest external evidence, which evinces opposition of the heart.

(3) It is the rejection of infinite love, and the disregard of the greatest obligation.

(4) It is the deliberate preference of the kingdom of Satan before that of Christ, of Belial to Christ.

(C. Hodge, D. D.)

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KJV: Of sin, because they believe not on me;

WEB: about sin, because they don't believe in me;